Okay I am lazy and sick....

One of the younger old men of my church (younger than I) had a heart attack and has a stent now. And I spent a half hour talking with Medicare for my wife instead of exercising, but then I didn't exercise all weekend, so it is my fault.

10 July 2009 weight 208.0 pounds bp 126/81 Hr 43 W2D

11 July 2009 weight 206.0 pounds bp 122/85 Hr 49

12 July 2009 weight 205.2 pounds bp 135/80 140/86 Hr 42 49

Proudly reported to Wyatt that I had made 205.2 pounds, but then on the 13th after pigging out on Sunday and rolling around fat I weigh 209.2 pounds on Monday. Sigh.

I wrote about government health care on Just the Library Keeper. Not that I know anything about how difficult it is to herd cats.

You never miss me, do you?

Well, I have been gone and busy and making excuses for not doing better in my personal fitness and health. I don't need to go into them, but I had a great vacation in Hawai'i with so little stress that trying to match my grandson's sleep pattern and running long and walking were very healing and my blood pressure came right down and impressed my doctor. My next appointment with him is the 23rd of September at 8:30 AM on the State time. The only change in medication was for the missing Thyroid so that is still being adjusted.

On 28 June 2009, Weight was 207.0 pounds (twenty too many), Blood pressure 160/95 or 140/101, Heart rate resting was 45 or 48 beats per minute. After church, motorcycling and talking health issues with my friends (all two of them) I took time in the beauty of the evening and exercised. Jogging along the road with hand weights, reflector belt and positive attitude for 36minutes and 20seconds, then doing 55 repetitions of the basic three exercises (bent leg sit ups, push ups, and squats), three hangs trying to do chin ups, pull ups and back arches (so weak, Willie!) finishing with ten cat stretches.

I know, very basic and oh so lame, but it was a start and that is the idea, a daily dose of better time spend than what I would do if I just stare at the television or computer screens. I mean, you know that my fingers and forearms are in excellent shape - they move typing this stuff. This is a good start to looking old and never better, living longer in good health is also a goal. Grandchildren really get fun when they hit eight to ten so that is a few more years to hang on.

How do I say I am so sorry? No excuse...

My log book has all the data, but I am just waking up and getting back into exercise and shooting and life again. So I apologize to myself and tell you (me) that I will do better in February than I did in January and December. I will look at weekly updates, February and March lend themselves to that a bit better.

I do get so old and am just starting to understand what that really means and accept it, since my mind dwells back there in the thirty-somethings and I haven't been there for a bunch of years - Germany, between 1978-1982, which were very good years for us.

Motivation! How does that work?

Sunday weight 207.5 pounds, bicycle to church and back, that is different.

Monday weight 207.5 pounds, blood pressure 115/92, heart rate 32 bpm. Do 25 reps of the basic three, a couple of chin ups and hangs, go jog the shortest course 326 calories burnt, 50% of them Fat, Hr 111, Zone 25 minutes 3 seconds, Exercise 38 minutes 25 seconds, walk to the dock.

Tuesday son is home, weight 206.0 pounds, blood pressure 133/83, heart rate 41 bpm. Do 2 Chin ups, 30 reps of the basic three, two more chin ups. Go jog with son. 410 calories burnt, 30% Fat, Hr 131 bpm, Zone 21 minutes 27 seconds, Exercised 34 minutes 14 seconds, only because he was doing it so easily and I was so old and trying to prove I could keep up. Barely, just barely.

Preaching Sermons, not listening to self...

Friday the 13th, weight 204.5 pounds, blood pressure 127/86, heart rate 43 bpm.
Saturday, weight 205.0 pounds, blood pressure 131/88, heart rate 41 bpm.
Sunday, weight 207.0 pounds, blood pressure 154/89, heart rate 43 bpm.

Friday evening I watched a neighbor put four spoons of sugar in his coffee with a drop of milk. It bothered me, I had been like that and I started my sermon on cutting sugar and other refined carbohydrates. Others pitched in, talking about their medical problems some of which could have been addressed by better living and studying food and nurishment - which might not be the same thing. I got to the Biblical points of "Love thy neighbor as thy Self" and concentrate on the love of self (which many people ignore) and remembering that the body is a temple for the Lord, and one should not profane the temple. I was on a roll, but two days later I haven't done any exercising for my health and my weight is back up. Time to get serious about Self and knock off those pounds and get stronger and healthier. I was riding motorcycles on Saturday instead of the Annual Sound to Narrows Road Race.

Trying to do it without numbers... but...

Tuesday weight 204.5 pounds
Wednesday weight 205.0 pounds
Thursday weight 204.5 pounds, blood pressure 119/94, heart rate of 38 bpm.
Friday weight 204.5 pounds, blood pressure 148/80, heart rate of 39 bpm.
Saturday weight 202.0 pounds, blood pressure 130/76, heart rate of 47 bpm.

Going to the YMCA with my wife, going to second welcome of 4th Brigade 2nd Inf Division at 2:30 local, was at this mornings at 12:30 am - 240 returned after fourteen months. I was with the PGRs, and wasn't chilled nor wet until I got home and tried to sleep. Good stuff is really great!

Memorial Day wrap up...

Sunday I weighed 205.5 pounds, blood pressure of 137/84 with a heart rate of 43 bpm. I go jog, longer and do intervals a bit, 595 calories burned, 50% of them fat, average heart rate 116, in Zone 58 minutes 3 seconds, Exercised 1 hour 1 minute and 43 seconds, two pennies found. Church and Indiana Jones followed shopping for half sleeved shirts and underwear.

Monday I weigh 207.0 pounds, and I take the flag out to fly at half staff for the morning, or until I return from the National Cemetery at Mt Tahoma. I go jog a relaxed mostly longer route, thinking about Memorial Day and funeral details from the Vietnam Era of my memories. 670 calories burned, 50% of them fat, average heart rate 114 bpm, in Zone 1 hour 3 minutes 42 seconds, Exercised 1 hour 13 minutes 17 seconds and saved a nickel and a penny. A couple of walkers out and a good day for the exercise. I had to motorcycle to the cemetery for enough flags to seem flown. When I find out later that this three day weekend is an economic stimulus scam for Summer sales and starting vacations and Congress had to mandate a minute at three for a real moment of silent remembrance of the War Dead, I come to the conclusion that I must have missed another shift in American culture. One day it won't even be: Lest we forget.

You're limping... Yes, and I am OLD...

Yesterday a corrections officer noticed my limp and commented on it. I figure I am lucky, still not having had that first heart attack or stroke - or mine are so minor I wouldn't notice. I was 209.5 pounds in weight, blood pressure 157/89 and a heart rate of 40 bpm. I knocked out my fifty reps of the basic three, did some chin up moves on the bar - couldn't call them chin ups, cause they didn't get that high - but I was hanging and struggling. I went jogging 393 calories burned 45% of the fat, average heart rate was 118, in Zone for 37 minutes and 20 seconds, exercising for 39 minutes and 45 seconds. I went to the Credit Union and then walked to the dock, and to work. I was caught limping, and I like to think I limp because of my motorcycle accident last August (NOT!), the medicines my doctor gives me cause my muscles and bones to fall apart, or that I am old and I am falling apart with or without medication.

Today my wife has had problems sleeping, but I didn't, and I knock out my fifty reps after breakfast gruel, then go and do a real chin up and several well intentioned struggles and hangs for more pressure on those good looking upper body muscles. I do notice that the whole core gets to flex and tense along with the working muscles while hanging. I dress for a jog outside, start and then think it is too cold, windy and my right foot is still foolish from the bicycle riding on Saturday - need to do it more. I return home and get on the treadmill and it doesn't feel any better than the road except for the lack of wind. I stop 42 calories, 50% of them fat, average heart rate 99 bpm, in Zone 3 minutes, 8 seconds, exercised (????) 9 minutes and 15 seconds - will have to work on that later today.

So I forgot to give you my weight 208.0 pounds, blood pressure 132/78 and heart rate of 43 bpm. I took the time not spent on exercise and printed out a long letter of my blogs for the week for my mother and my aunt - adding the extra parade pictures and such - the links don't work with print on paper and some of the writing depends on those links but they will ask if they need to. Off to work and walk to the dock, dropping the mail at the post office. Slow train blocking the track but no problem in the long run. Work well all day come home and go to sleep early after dinner - seems my wife had an opportunity to back her car into a truck = damage to her car slight, she says she really hurt the truck, so that is on her mind and she isn't happy. I laugh at her, because she moved the car because she thought it was in a bad parking space and her break was earlier than normal and she knew something was going to happen and hadn't slept well and I can't make it right immediately - but it will happen.

Wasting away, bigger waist what a waste...

I did my taxes yesterday, and went to the Homeowners Meeting, now I need to work on my betterment. Saturday I weighed 209.5 pounds, blood pressure was 127/88 with a heart rate of 44 bpm, Sunday I weigh in at 211.0 pounds, blood pressure is 138/70 with a heart rate of 46 bpm. Funny that it is easier to type on a blog than it is to exercise immediately. As the clocks wander on the CBS Sunday Morning calls to me, wanting to be artsy and fit.

Plans: exercise, church, pistol, lawn, exercise. Yeah, sure - at least there is no football to view.

Follow thru: Church, cut the front grass, started watching The Godfather and decided I could shoot better than Hollywood, so went and shot sixty-five rounds at my twenty yard target, those short 45's have twists that I need to work on controlling, and my sights are a bit to the left, but the paper target is perforated and not breathing, nor is blood pumping from the torn target... checked my targets then went home and checked my taxes again - adjusted them better and have more coming back.

Strange days by weather and medicines defined?

Thursday I weigh 207.0 pounds, blood pressure is 152/88 with a heart rate of 40 bpm. Friday morning I weigh 207.5 pounds, blood pressure is 125/75 with a heart rate of 47 bpm. I came home late but went crashing to bed and slept soundly until 4:30 am on Friday. I had been invited to my (and the other boys' birthday celebration Thursday evening) and wasn't there and was missed. I want to blame my adjustments to the medications but it could have been the sticker shock from my and my wife's doctor bills (I think they have a new clerk and weren't billing correctly) but maybe the doctor doesn't like us as much as our money.

As I drove to the conference I listened to the CDs: 'STAND UP' by Kevin Stone and 4tified 'MAN ON A MISSION' - both great gospel songs and music, really moving stuff and worth sharing with my brother (the musician) one day. I get to the conference and find gift bags full of wonderful stuff just for Earl and his sixtieth birthday, the other two men (50 & 60) got their goodies and celebration last night. They had me pegged, dragons abounded, watercolors, drawing paper, handmade card with motorcycle pieces and good wishes (from the sixty-five year old lady who will retire in a year and three months), a musically singing card - Macho macho man! (well, only in my dreams), other cards about sixty isn't old, it is RETRO and that is cool (that is why my motorcycle and the Bowie are so like my Colt Model IV series 70 (.45 cal semi-auto) old stuff for an old guy going RETRO. My wife laughs at the multiple dragons wondering if we will have to sell them one day. Nope, we will wait until they fly or waddle away on their own.

Snowing most of the day, not sticking in the lowlands, but those mountain passes are icy and closing, our Eastern Library Keepers will have to detour to Oregon for travelling East if they don't make the cut before closing. I am resting one more night and tomorrow I will start training again, got to get rid of the piles of procrastination, there is a Home Owners Meeting tomorrow and any pistol shooting will have to be after church on Sunday. How does it all sneak up on me, one would think I wasn't watching. Best thing about today, health and happiness-wise, was talking to my son over Skype.com on the computer and internet, then calling and talking to my mother - both sounded pretty good, and I am amazed at how close we are in timely communications although there are many thousands of miles between us.

Reflection

Seems I am waking up fat this morning, feeling like I have layers of soft jelly just under my skin. I will blame my poor discipline in workouts and eating and then think that the new hormone medicine is really the guilty party. Some truth in everything, but all of the above will work and I know what I can control, and it isn't the medication and my body's reaction to it. I weigh 210.5 pounds today, ugh, sigh, sigh. Blood pressure is 132/85. I will return early from work today and can hit the exercises and road work hard and know what foods to toss from the freezer. Back to basics, and remembering that someone loves me, they shouldn't love me more than myself...

Your Government can help, and will one day...

Deep sleep, no sweat and not restless, military dreams, of course. I reheat coffee and take the supplement, I weigh 209.0 pounds, blood pressure is either 119/67 or 133/80 with heart rates of 42 or 43 bpm respectively. My wife talked about my sweats with her friends and says I have to change my medications and amounts because that is what her friend's husband had to do. I think I need to take out the garbage and give the medicine and the doctor a chance to affect my body. Three weeks and time goes faster than one thinks.

My wife's other medical problems are based around the conversion to Medicare - that wonderful program of government medical insurance that assures all the old folks will have coverage - unless they don't give up more of their Social Security, maintain their current coverage with employer, are signed up for the continuing coverage under their retirement program but the after Medicare portion, and she has to change her military ID card to reflect it. And I thought that understanding the Federal Tax code was bad - I just wasn't paying attention.

I pay bills, because today is garbage day and payday and I mentioned taxes above -- seems I don't have enough stamps, will have to stop at the post office to buy some. I see my wife wake, and she strips the bedding for washing, and I help put fresh linen (made of cotton polyester) back on for tonight. I guess I have finished telling myself all the reasons I can't exercise nor jog this morning. I do intend to ride the motorcycle to work, which has nothing to do with the jog or other. So I dress and go out to put the jogging shoes on and pick up the hand weights for balance. 390 calories 45% fat ones, average heart rate 117 bpm, in ZONE 36 minutes 49 seconds, exercise time 39 minutes 42 seconds. Crisp and cold, ice on my windshield, frost on the roofs, children waiting for their school bus. Good morning, America

Garbage Day, taking out the trash...

For motivation and fitness we watched WWE RAW on the cablevision last night, I still can't believe I am older and so much younger looking (?) than Rick Flair, the Nature Boy. But my wife and I laughed loudly at the pretend punches being thrown (she can really punch and I am always too willing). Ah, well, humor is in the head of the happy. I weigh 206.5 pounds, bp is 149/89 and heart rate is 41 bpm. I write and read about Tam's future broomstick (DR-Z400SM looks likely), something about the Supreme Court's Day today, and then eat gruel, watch the weather and go for my heart's jog.

A little gray sky, misty rain falls, and I jog vigorously but gently, saying hello to another heart walker and pretending the children waiting for school bus pick up aren't going to laugh at my feeble efforts. I stretch the stride a few times and keep the pace and breathing up as I day dream about writing blogs - yeah, right. 677 calories burned, 45% should have come from FAT (1600 calories in one pound of fat), average heart rate 120 bpm, in Zone 1 hour 3 minutes 52 seconds, exercise time total was !:05.23 and I am happy, my wife unlocks and opens the front door for me.

One morning news show has a bit about zoo animals put on a Weight Watchers diet because they can't get the exercise they would in the wild. But looking at human beings most of our health issues with weight are because we aren't hunter/gatherers in the wild anymore with a twenty miles on foot per day looking for food as the natural norm. But we live in modern cages: the car a cage on four wheels, the home a rambler in the neighboorhood development, the job in the cubicle or office without the window - another cage. Don't start thinking about mental health in the cages, they have problems with social issues among the zoo animals, too.

Tuesday, and where am I now?

I weigh 210.0 pounds (not running yesterday and Starbucks!) blood pressure is 140/86 with a heart rate of 46 beats per minute. Took an online test this morning, didn't like the result, then took a second one and liked that result worse. Ah, just a commercial enterprise why am I paying attention, I will not be buying. Saw evidence of somekind of romance on the blogsphere, almost time for me to retreat - no potential for me just mistaken intentions, drift back into the woods and lay quiet.

I wander blogs, and have oatmeal for breakfast, then write checks to pay bills, finally I post a thought about memories and have no reason left not to exercise. I knock out the basic fifty reps of the very basic three exercises, getting easier isn't it? So heart rate monitor belt put on, mud running shoes found and put on and I go run - but really no rain until the last quarter, when the rider in black on the dark V-Rod roars by, a good run with lots of thoughts. 431 calories and forty percent of them fat calories, we discussed that before, average heart rate 122 beats per minute, in the zone 37 minutes 26 seconds (when seconds count) exercise time 40 minutes and 4 seconds. I walk back from the mailboxes, deep breathing with arm swings, my wife opens the front door for me -- which is always better than being locked out - although that did happen once and I broke the door open so I wouldn't be late for work. Ah, I should have just taken the day off, but that wouldn't have been me, would it?

Missed the mark, and shot the other blog site...

My aunt Velva giggling at my antics, I did post on the wrong blog site but back to normal now. I weigh 205.5 pounds and my blood pressure is 137/80 with a heart rate of 46 bpm. My muscles are complaining about the lactic acid build up, so I knock out the fifty reps of the basic three just to bother them and continue the improvements. Gravity rules and all my fat flab falls down to the hang position, sigh. As soon as I get to my slimmer, trimmer me I will start taking pictures of the leaner meaner old man - with clothing - the skin never tightens up the way it would when one was younger. Exercise for my aerobics will have to wait until after the doctor and food, my wife gives me a Starbucks gift card to get coffee with later. Oatmeal cookies with raisins and chocolate, anyone? I will walk to the dock, but that is never exercise for the body, just satisfaction for the soul. Raining again, not motorcycling this morning.

Well, the doctor's nurse took my weight, bp, temperature and blood and an EKG, and I am where the doctor wants me, in the box of healthy nuts. Cool, of course I didn't tell him I cut my medications in half. I went off to Starbucks and felt so out of place but nice to visit. Breakfast was an 8grain roll, a Spinach Feta Wrap, and a Mocha Grande. I walk to the dock, go to work and do it the best I can and then back home again, bringing Allende's Zorro to read. I watch wrestling and know I should move my muscles before showering and going to bed. Maybe a few Cat Stretches, one of my favorites.

Saved some Daylight, did ya?

I sleep later, and then get up to eggs and toast, I weigh 207.0 pounds (exercise does work) blood pressure of 138//88 and the resting heart rate of 40 bpm. I watch CBS Sunday Morning and they continue to cover the seventy year olds that have shaped my world, and long departed artists - one who loved women well, very well.

Well, got to ride my motorcycle to church, practicing with the choir - which is really good for one's breathing - although I was sure the Director was about to remove me for failing to find the correct notes, I would never know the difference but she can hear it... the service was fine and then the Youth with their adult advisors had a Baked Potato feast for five bucks each. I went in support, although I didn't get the potato, their chilli, salad makings, cheese, tomatoes, celery, carrots and onions all were my kind of health food, and so filling. I would have eaten a raw potato, but baked is almost pure sugar in my system. I did get a piece of birthday cake with thick icing. Off I rode to pick up my pistol and fifty rounds of .45 APC (in case he didn't have any). The ride to the range is good, the shooters are having lots of fun and I buy two more boxes of .45, and it costs $17.50 per - time to start reloading? The dollar isn't buying enough any more. I shoot my target very well, stopping after thirty-five rounds, the lower right quadrant of the black is gone with a couple of close enough but no cigars. One failed extraction, immediate action went well, I would be lying if I told you I was the best shooter with a pistol when I was there - but I could have been first loser.

I ride back home, find my wife thinking about going to the YMCA, I am for that - if she is really over her cold, otherwise we can wait. We wait. I knock out the fifty repetitions of the basic three exercises, the lactic acid is in the muscles from yesterday - I need more exercise and better circulation when it comes along. As my wife falls asleep into her nap I put on the heart monitor chest strap and go out to jog. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, so I will run hard today and fast after seven tonight. The jog is good, I see five motorcyclists, no joggers nor walkers, three skateboarders and no dark dangerous dogs. 417 calories, 40% of them from fat (don't you believe it), average heart rate 125 bpm, in zone for 34 minutes 12 seconds, exercise time is 37 minutes and 15 seconds. Eat some dinner, seaweed soup with beef, and a hot shower and reading, life is good and can only get better.

Hibernation is OVER! git up and git out...

I had strange dreams of coffee shop ladies and comfort girls, never so many women in my dreams, but I was okay for the long haired girl friend (who became my wife) was with me. Very different dreams and no reason for them I could imagine. I wake earlier than the Sunrise, which is soon to be delayed by Congressional order. I forget to take my medicines, do remember devotions and measurements, I weigh 209.5 pounds and my blood pressure is 129/84 with a heart rate of 39 bpm. After checking email, delete and some answers, then the blogs then to eating my gruel and finding out what I am to fear according to the media - I am ready to change my ways, the Sun is up and behind the clouds and I need to move muscles and start living again.

I knock out fifty repetions of the basic three: bent leg sit ups, push ups, and squats. The very minimum basic body weight exercise for the day, should be more but I have laid off too long with the congestion and cold. I get my heart rate monitor belt on, and go out to jog. Cool and gray a jogger's day, I am going a little long but shorter than I should - in two weeks I have a twenty kilometer road race to run, work on that form. I see signs of Spring all around, buds, flowers and birds pairing up looking for love in all the right places. The geese on the island have paired and are staking out territory for nesting, as long as it isn't inside the fence they aren't troubled by the guards. I have a good pace, getting into the zone quickly and I remind myself about the stretch and the stride a few times. No dark dog problems, one heart walker with two women in support and their better health along laughing. I pick up two pennies in different places and feel richer already. The jog is 57 minutes and 29 seconds, in the zone for 53 minutes and 45 seconds, with an average heart rate of 118 beats per minute. About 571 calories burned, and forty-five percent of that should have been from fat.

I wake from a nap (so old man-like) covered by a blanket, I get up and go to the chin up bar, two attempts at chin ups, mix ups and pull ups. Mind over matter, not strong enough mind and way too much matter, feeble attempts to be fixed with more work. I take a test of What D&D character would I be.

Lawful Good Human Paladin/Cleric (4th/4th Level)

Ability Scores:
Strength- 14
Dexterity- 16
Constitution- 15
Intelligence- 16
Wisdom- 16
Charisma- 14

I am not that perfect but wouldn't mind playing such a fine fellow, back to the chin ups!

Maxed out and no stress...

I weigh 210.0 pounds today, sigh, and my blood pressure is 131/80 with a heart rate of 48 beats per minute. My wife stayed home and nursed her cold, but is still ill, I sweat through the night and dreamed much about other things. She warned me not to exercise in the morning, after hearing one of her favorite television doctor expert say it was dangerous for those with high blood pressure. I reminded her that I don't have high blood pressure any longer, and that I am in charge of my exercise (temporarily non-existent) time, type and place. Too long too happy with early morning PT (physical training) in the Army, before cleaning up and going to work or training for the day -- very difficult to change bad habits. I want that nap and unwinding at the end of the day.

My mother has fears, she is in a nursing home for treatment of her problems and her mind has too much time to dwell. Long ago she wrote a story about two adults that were driving through a National Park, admiring the great trees and pure beauty. They stopped to get out and discovered that they had lost their legs. It seems their legs had gotten tired of just sitting in the car, at the restaurants and motels -- so the legs just up and left so they could walk and run around like they had so many years before adulthood settled frisky. Well, they called their children over to help them find their legs (children were out and about playing with full use of limbs). The children finally found the AWOL legs and negotiated a return but the parents had to promise daily usage and certain mileage minimums. She wanted me to do pictures for it and to make a children's book of it. It never happened but it isn't a story for children, it is one for adults. More adults lose lower limbs to diabetes than children, and my mother may remember that her poor circulation in her legs could cause drastic measures for saving her life - but it isn't that bad yet. They are working her daily in physical therapy and making her march, moving those legs (which she wouldn't do on her own) so I have lots of hope for her recovering with continued programs of activity - at least to a certain point. Most fears are found in the mind and grow in darkness and depression - turn on the lights, and fight! and pray for better...

Rolling, just rolling along...

I weigh 207.5 pounds today, the rain is falling and foggy conditions wait outside the door, my blood pressure is 138/94 with a heart rate of 40. I have looked at my motorcycle and will talk to it again tonight. The cold is banked and I might be ready to start exercising tonight, I certainly have lots of motivation. The women have just stopped looking me over in the Mall. The plumpness is folding over the belt and the bottom of the shirt swells with what can no longer be contained. Yep, I want to be loved by one...

Little steps, make a journey...

I weigh 207.0 pounds, blood pressure is 140/85 with a heart rate of 41 beats per minute, hopefully with a nice rhythm, irregular is the kind of fellow I want to be, not the way my heart works. I am still hiding from breaking out in muscular sweats for lots of reps and against gravity - the last of the cold lingers but it is going. I walk to the dock and notice that I can see the pathway along the road, the light has returned to my days. The trees aren't as green as this picture, the route is the same and budding has started on some of the early ones, Spring then Summer is to be looked for.

I stopped with my wife at a restaurant, and the waitress asked if I worked at McNeil Island, and I said yes. We ordered and when she brought back the drinks, she said "You're the guy that walks everyday." So easy to build a reputation, just by being a little different. There are, in good weather, other walkers, and a few in bad. Mostly everyone rides the bus, the American way. I have almost always walked down, unless I am running out of time to catch the ferry or I am ill for some reason. People think it is for my fitness that I do the walk, but for that I jog, the walk is for my mental health. The thick tree lined road, twisting with animal sign and sightings, takes me back to walking home in Pennsylvania, wondering where are the French and Indians. I use the time to daydream a bit, to wonder 'what if?' of many silly things. And then suddenly I am at the dock ready for the ferry boat ride.

Only one more time to walk, hard and fast, after arrival at the island dock the race starts to get inside the gates and get to work. I like the surge, passing the Headquarters building, to get to the entry gates, under tower guard control. Up the steps two at a time into Control and then work. My mind is ready, my spirit soared.